Ontario, Miami-Dade BSL repeals move forward

On Thursday, Ontario Bill 16 passed its second reading in the Ontario Legislature by a vote of 51-26. There is still a lot of work to do on this bill, but the next steps are for it to get a public hearing in committee (in 2005, when the BSL was passed, public commentary was overwhelmingly opposed to the breed-specific language). The committee will then debate the bill, and it would then move forward to a 3rd and final reading in the legislature. This bill has support from all three political parties in the legislature --- and continues to have strong (67%) support of the entire legislature -- so this is a great step in the right direction. More info (and images from the day) here.

Meanwhile, in Florida, HB 997, a bill that would remove Miami-Dade's beed ban, passed it's 3rd committe UNANIMOUSLY by a vote of 17-0 (4 missed). The bill has now passed through three house committees with overwhelming support -- 13-1 in Community and Military Affairs and 14-0 in Agriculture and Natural Resources.

The companion bill in the Senate, SB 1322, has passed it's two committees as well: Government Oversight and Accountability committee 9-2 and Coummunity Affairs Committee 7-0. SB 1322 will be heard in the Budget Subcommittee on Tuesday, 2/28. After that, both bills would be voted on by the entire House and Senate. Still, a ways to go, but there has been a LOT of support for these bills thus far.

Both of these are really fantastic news for the two major BSL repeal initiatives as momentum continues in repealing unjust breed-specific laws across the continent. I'll continue to keep people posted as these bills (and others) move forward.

Comments

Thanks For supporting those of us in Ontario fighting this ban, yesterday, with the passing of second reading of "Hershey's Bill (bill 16) which would repeal breed specific portions of our Dog Owners Liability Act was a fantastic day for us.. but we still have much work to do!
We really appreciate you spreading the word,
Thanks Again!!!!